Government

 One government – three branches  The Framers (Founding Fathers) wanted a balanced government, where one person or group could not become too powerful  Checks and balances  Each branch was limited in some way by the other two  Each branch had a way to limit the other two

Government  Legislative branch – The Congress  Senate and House of Representatives  Certain specific powers:  Set and collect taxes  Regulate trade  Borrow and create money  Declare war  Set up post offices

Government Congress  Also had the power to create whatever laws were seen as necessary for the country  Laws had to be approved by both Houses of Congress – the Senate and the House of Representatives

Government Executive Branch – The President  Powers include:  Ability to appoint a Cabinet and other officials  Commander-in-Chief of the Army  Enter into foreign treaties  Ability to sign bills into law

Government The President  Voted in every four years by an electoral college  Originally, the runner-up in the election became vice-president  Presidents are now limited to two terms

Government Judicial Branch – The Supreme Court  Final court – there are other, lower courts  Primary power is to decide whether laws are constitutional (legal) or not  A law that is declared unconstitutional is removed

Government The Supreme Court  There are nine Supreme Court justices  They are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate  They serve for as long as they wish and never have to retire

Government Checks and Balances – Legislative Branch  Over Executive Branch  Can override President’s veto  Confirms presidential appointments  Can impeach the President  Over Judicial Branch  The Senate has to confirm Supreme Court justices  Congress has the power to write amendments that impact judicial decisions

Government Checks and Balances – Executive Branch  Over Legislative Branch  Can veto (deny) laws Congress passes  Vice-President presides over the Senate  Over Judicial Branch  Appoints judges  Can grant pardons to people convicted in federal court

Government Checks and Balances – Judicial Branch  Over Executive Branch  Can declare executive actions unconstitutional  Over Legislative Branch  Can declare laws unconstitutional

Government Electoral College  Elects the president  A state has as many electoral votes as it has members of Congress (two senators and however many representatives)  Whichever presidential candidate wins the popular vote in that state receives ALL the electoral votes for the state